Reduction in Emotional and Uncontrolled Eating Scores with Yoga Compared to Stretching: A Randomized Trial.

Lowering stress through yoga may help individuals make better food choices and manage their weight. To compare the effectiveness of yoga versus stretching for reducing stress levels, improving eating behaviors, and enhancing weight loss. Randomized controlled 3-month trial with an additional 3-month follow-up. Midwestern United States. One hundred and sixty-two participants (146 females, mean age 43.7 years, BMI 34.0 kg/m2). Participants were randomized to either yoga or stretching (control) intervention and asked to complete exercises 3 times a week for 3 months. Perceived Stress Scale and Three Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised were completed, and weight was measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Perceived stress decreased significantly in both groups at 3 months, and in just the yoga group at 6 months. There were no group differences at 6 months (-2.8 ± 6.6 yoga vs. -3.0 ± 6.4 control, P = .53). Emotional eating (EE) and uncontrolled eating (UE) were lower in the intervention group at 6 months (-16.0 ± 16.7 yoga vs. -3.3 ± 23.9 control, P = .04 and -11.8 ± 11.9 yoga vs. -3.6 ± 9.9 control, P = .01), with no difference at 3 months. Both EE (P = .026) and UE scores (P = .006) were lower for subjects who completed the program through 6 months. Changes in EE and UE were correlated with changes in perceived stress (r = 0.37, P < .01, df = 64 and r = 0.57, P < .001, df = 64, respectively) and cognitive restraint was negatively correlated with changes in perceived stress (r = -0.32, P < .01, df = 64) at 3 months. Yoga may improve indicators of emotional eating and uncontrolled eating, which were correlated with a decrease in levels of perceived stress. Eating behaviors; Obesity; Weight loss; Yoga, Stress.